Artificial Heart

He must have done something to her. He must have drugged her or gassed her or something, because it seemed only moments between when she’d shut her eyes and opened them again.

Alf was standing over her. ‘It is time.’

Prisha sat up with a start, then fell back down again, clutching at her groggy head. It felt so damn heavy. Like she’d slept for days. ’Ohhh, I feel sick.’ She unstuck her gluey eyes, forcing them open with her fingers. Then she whipped off her blanket. ‘Shit!’

All groggy sickness was instantly forgotten as she thought about what lay ahead. Her heart was hammering. Her hands were already shaking. A wave of nausea made her bend over her lap. She’d been mulling over what she would say before she’d fallen asleep—or was forced asleep. Prisha grabbed at her ears—she couldn’t remember any of it! How could she not remember any of it?!

‘I need to practise! I need to think!’

’Prisha.’

Three times. That was three times he’d said her name. Not that she was counting.

‘You don’t understand, Alf! I can’t look like a fool. I’m going to be a fool!’ Tears filled her eyes. A sob clawed up her throat.

’Prisha.’

Four times.

‘This is a momentous thing you’re asking of me and I can’t fuck it up! The whole planet could be watching! I’m representing my whole damn species! They’ll record it for eternity.’ Prisha wrapped her arms around her chest as she gasped for breath. ‘Oh … Alf. Why couldn’t it just be us two?’

’Prisha.’

Five.

She looked up at him. He was wearing his helmet again. Prisha gasped as he pulled her from the bed and into his chest. He wrapped his arms firmly around her as Prisha clutched him back, cheek pressed into his shoulder. She was so startled she forgot she couldn’t breathe. The shaking stopped. The nausea vanished.

He was very warm. Very solid. Very cosy. It had been a long time since she’d hugged a man. Since she’d hugged anybody except her sister.

Prisha didn’t move. She didn’t want to move. Time seemed to stand still and she liked it that way. It was nice. Slowly, he pulled away. Prisha felt wobbly on her feet as she gazed up into his visor.

‘What was that for?’ she said.

‘To make you feel satisfactory.’

‘Well … g-good work.’ Prisha cleared her throat. Her hand was shaking as she brushed the hair from her face. ‘W-when?’

‘Now.’

‘Now?!’

‘Now.’

Prisha looked towards the window and onto the darkened planet. She shivered. Turning back to Alf, she lifted her chin. ‘I’ll do it. But only if you give me the biggest damn hug of your life the moment I get back. Deal?’

‘Deal.’

Prisha choked back a crazy urge to laugh. ‘You should be doing this, Alf. They want to see you, not me. They’ll be disappointed.’

Alf didn’t say anything.

‘Wait a minute!’ Prisha said. ‘What about afterwards? What’s your plan with me? Are you—are you keeping me or—or sending me back?’ He’d already told her but she had every hope he’d changed his mind.

‘You must go back.’

’Why? Why, Alf? Why can’t I stay?’ Unexpectedly, the tears rushed to her eyes.

‘The ship cannot support two lifeforms safely for more than seventy-two of your Earth hours.’

Prisha frowned. ‘I thought you said you couldn’t lie. You had me asleep for four days that first time.’

‘You were in stasis. Your metabolism and organic requirements were almost nil.’

’Well … then, what the hell am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to live my life? They’ll know me.’

Alf cocked his head.

’They’ll know me! I don’t want them to know me.’

‘You want to conceal your identity,’ he said.

’Yes! At the very least.’

His head turned, as though he was considering something. Then he reached up and eased off his helmet. His red eye was beaming as he held it out.

‘Oh … okay.’ She frowned as she took it. ‘Are you sure it’s going to fit?’ It was surprisingly light. She could spin it in her hands. She lifted it up. ‘How do I …’

Gently, Alf pressed his hands against hers as he helped to lower it over her head. It slid on easily. Surely, it was too big. Then the “neck piece” and the squishy fabric around the cheeks suctioned onto her throat and face, making her jump. Now it was fitting her snugly. Even comfortably.

‘Wow.’ Prisha tilted back her head as she looked up at Alf. It was easy to move. Even lighter on her head than it was in her hands.

‘Do I look ridiculous?’ Her voice was strange, deeper than usual. It echoed, like she was speaking through an intercom. Through the visor, she studied Alf watching her. It was rather incredible. It didn’t really feel like she was wearing a helmet at all. Lightweight. It turned with her head. It kind of felt like an extension of her body.

‘It is supposed to go with a suit,’ he said.

‘I look like a lollypop, don’t I?’

He looked confused.

Prisha laughed nervously. ‘My head is way too big for my body, I mean.’

‘You look different.’

Prisha released a breath. ‘So … I guess I’m ready. But I still don’t know what to say.’

‘Let them ask the questions.’

‘Okay. That’s easy. I can do that. Should I keep anything private?’

‘No. Tell them all you want as best you can.’

‘How long should I stay out there?’

‘As long as you will. It is only an introduction.’ His red eye flashed. ‘If you feel unsafe, you come back to the ship. If you cannot get to the ship, I will get you.’

Prisha nodded, suddenly unable to speak. Alf went back to the controls. Prisha stood behind him, watching Earth’s approach. Her throat was dry and scratchy; she kept clearing it. Her heart wouldn’t stop racing. Suddenly exhausted, she slumped down onto her seat, gripping her knees as she leaned over her lap.

She closed her eyes. It wasn’t long before she felt a change in the ship’s movement. It shuddered as it landed.

‘We are here.’

Prisha snapped open her eyes. Her knees shook as she stood. The inner lights of the ship all switched off. Alf stepped away and disappeared into the darkness. Prisha glanced towards the window. All she could see was trees. It was dark.

Slowly, the ramp lowered. Prisha’s knees buckled again. She glanced over her shoulder but couldn’t see Alf, keeping safe and out of the way. What if they stormed the ship? What if they killed her? What if they took her? What if they killed Alf?

If you cannot get to the ship, I will get you.

‘Alf,’ she croaked.

No answer.

Prisha stared down the ramp. More trees. Grass. Likely somewhere deserted and out of the way. Both safe and dangerous. Prisha released a whistling breath. Her knees buckled a third time as she stumbled her way down the ramp very inelegantly.

It was cool but not cold. A light breeze made her arms tingle. She was breathless when she reached the grass. They were there. Lights. A handful of figures. Cars in the back. There were witches hats and ropes and low white flags, probably designating where everyone should stand and the limits of their allowable movements.

She wondered how long they had prepared for this. How long they had been waiting here. She wondered when exactly Alf had contacted them.

They were standing away, giving her space, keeping close to the tree line. So they could escape, she supposed.

Prisha stopped a safe distance away, close to the ship but near enough her voice could carry. It was very quiet, considering the situation. Ominous. Prisha folded her hands behind her back and straightened her shoulders as she released a whistling breath.

There were seven figures standing in a line. Her eyes were darting around so spasmodically, her senses reeling so much, she could hardly determine whether they were male or female, black or white. She was suddenly very glad for the helmet. There were suits. Her eyes scanned the trees and she saw more figures waiting beyond. Men. Big-looking men. Bodyguards? Army? Secret Service?

Men with guns.

Her hand shook as she reached up to brush the hair out of her face, forgetting she was wearing her helmet. She awkwardly bumped her knuckles against it. She dropped her hand.

‘I am human,’ Prisha croaked. ‘Ask me what you want.’

She wondered if there were cameras. If there were more people watching and listening from afar. Likely. There would be a record of this forever. Don’t fuck it up.

What in the holy hell had she gotten herself into?